Guanacaste: ATV Beach Tour with Playa Minas & Hotel Pickup

Ride ATVs along Guanacaste’s wild coast to secret beaches

You’ll ride ATVs from Brasilito through dusty forest trails down to quiet beaches like Playa Minas and Bahia de los Piratas. Expect salty air, local guides who know every shortcut, plenty of laughs (and dust), plus hotel pickup and time for swimming or hiking if you want it. You might leave sandy but you’ll remember those views.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATV tour along beaches and forests

• Get ATVs and start trip in Brasilito
• Ride south along local beaches
• Stop for pictures at scenic spots
• Visit Playa Puerto Viejo
• Visit Playa Bahia de los Piratas
• Visit Playa Minas and optional hike
• Optional swim in the ocean

The Experience

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous when they handed me the helmet in Brasilito — the ATVs looked way tougher than I felt. But our guide, Javier, just grinned and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to the dust.” He wasn’t kidding about the dust. It gets everywhere: in your shoes, on your teeth if you smile too much (which I did). We revved up and headed south, engines humming past dry forest that smelled like sunbaked earth and salt. There was this one stretch where a flock of green parrots exploded out of a tree right as we passed — startled all of us and made Javier laugh so hard he nearly stalled.

The first real stop was Playa Puerto Viejo. Not many people around — just a couple of fishermen untangling nets, nodding at us like we were part of their morning routine. The sand there is rougher than I expected, almost gritty underfoot, but the water is that pale blue you see in postcards. Someone in our group tried to skip stones and failed miserably; even the guide teased him about his “technique.” After that we hit Playa Bahia de los Piratas (I probably butchered that name when I tried to say it), which has these odd rock formations sticking out into the sea. It’s quiet except for waves slapping against stone and the occasional shout from another ATV group somewhere down the beach.

We reached Playa Minas after maybe another half hour — time gets weird when you’re bouncing over dirt trails. There’s an optional hike up this little hill for a viewpoint. I almost skipped it because my legs were jelly from riding, but wow… The view isn’t flashy but it sticks with you: tangled green meeting endless blue, wind whipping your shirt around. I still think about that silence up there, just us and some lazy vultures circling overhead. On the way back we stopped for photos (Javier knows all the best spots) and a quick swim if you wanted — water cold enough to wake you up fast.

If you’re thinking about an ATV tour in Guanacaste, don’t expect everything to go smoothly or stay clean — but honestly, that’s half the fun.

Top questions

How long does the ATV beach tour in Guanacaste take?

The tour covers several beaches south of Brasilito and typically lasts a few hours including stops for photos and swimming.

Is hotel pickup included for this ATV tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels near the starting point.

Which beaches do we visit on this Guanacaste ATV tour?

You visit Playa Puerto Viejo, Playa Bahia de los Piratas, Playa Minas, and pass by Conchal Beach during the trip.

Can children join this ATV beach tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum age to drive is 17 with a driver license.

Is this Guanacaste ATV tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible; infants can ride in a pram or stroller with adults.

What should I wear for the ATV beach adventure?

A smart casual dress code is recommended; expect to get dusty so wear comfortable clothes.

Do we have time for swimming during the day trip?

Yes, there are stops where swimming in the ocean is optional during the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels near Brasilito, use of an ATV with helmet provided, bottled water along the route, plus guidance from a local expert who leads each stop—whether it’s snapping photos at viewpoints or pointing out where to swim or hike before heading back home sandy but happy.